Govt has succeeded in bringing back Kashmiri Pandits to some extent, says Omar

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that his government, with cooperation from the Centre, has succeeded in bringing back Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants to their homes to some extent.

"It is because of the efforts of the present government and the cooperation of the Centre that slowly and steadily we have succeeded to some extent in bringing back Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants to their homes," Omar said in his Independence Day speech at the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

"I hope that they will return to their homes and lead a life of dignity and honour in peace," he said.

Omar said that the employment package for Kashmiri Pandits is being implemented.

The Chief Minister said the state government has submitted a proposal to the Centre for an enhanced package for the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.

"I hope that the Centre will approve this package at the earliest," he said.

According to the enhanced package, each Kashmiri Pandit family will get Rs 20 lakh for the repair and reconstruction of their houses in Kashmir as against Rs 7 lakh envisaged in the existing package.

Omar said that return of migrant Kashmiri Pandits to their native land has been his cherished desire.